STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., -- General Dynamics Land Systems has been awarded a $24 million contract to supply Commanders Remote Operated Weapons Stations, version two, (CROWS II) kits to the U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command. General Dynamics Land Systems is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

The CROWS II is a remote-control weapon system that provides the soldier with the ability to acquire and engage targets from inside the protection of an armored vehicle. It is designed to mount on a variety of military platforms.

General Dynamics will supply a total of 468 CROW II kits, of which 370 will be used for M1A2 System Enhancement Program Version 2 (SEPv2) upgrade vehicles. The estimated completion date for the work is Aug. 31, 2012. All work will be performed in Lima, Ohio.

"The CROWS mount on the outside of the tank allows the commander to stay inside instead of opening the hatch," said Mark Roualet, president of General Dynamics Land Systems. "By remaining inside the tank, the commander remains protected and can keep in constant communication with the gunner and the loader."

The CROWS' laser range finder improves accuracy and the sensor suite permits target engagements in all conditions. The system can hold five times as many .50-cal. machine gun rounds as other older systems.